Next step after Green Fleet
After some time gaining experience in Green fleet the sailor will progress to Open Fleet. This fleet is a racing fleet and compete in regattas around Auckland and nationally. The Open fleet programme progressively grows our young sailors ability and encourages them to be the best sailors they can be.
Open Fleet is split into two groups Tiri & Rangi, these groups train on two different week nights and then come together on a Sunday. The groups are split based on sailor’s experience and national rankings. The first step into Open from Green fleet is into the Tiri group.
Tiri Fleet: The fleet consists of sailors who are becoming more committed to sailing the Optimist. These sailors that are just starting their Open Fleet journey and are less experienced, or are sailors gaining confidence who are still growing their sailing and racing skills. There is an option for some of these sailors to sail in White Fleet.
Rangi Fleet: Consisting of sailors who are more interested in the racing side of the sport and tend have a higher level of drive and elite- level aspirations and goals when it comes to their racing. These sailors are showing a more experienced level of Optimist sailing.
WHO IS YOUR CLASS REPRESENTATIVE?
EXTENDING YOUR SKILLS IN OPEN FLEET
Sunday afternoon Club points racing
Sunday briefing is at 12.45pm. First Race 1.30pm. Usually 3 races.
It is expected that all open fleeters will participate in club racing when they can.
Pre and post Christmas club points series run on full race courses providing essential experience for regattas throughout the season.
Coaching
Your sailor will benefit from a weekly coaching programme run by expert coaches.
Tiri Group sessions are on Tuesday night and Rangi group sessions are on Thursday night. Both groups train together on Sunday mornings.
Wednesday Sprints (Post Christmas Only) Rigged and ready 4.30pm
Open Fleet can attend sprint racing on Wednesday afternoons. This is a parent led initiative.
Regattas
Open fleet sailors are strongly supported and encouraged to compete in interclub regattas, culminating in the National Championships each year at Easter, from which the New Zealand team for the Optimist World Championships is selected. Murrays Bay has a proud record of success in the Nationals, with many of our sailors having been members of past World Championship teams.
We normally attending the following Regattas:
- North Island Championships
- Team Opti Cup – Lake Pupuke
- Sir Peter Blake (Torbay Sailing Club)
- Auckland Championships
- KYC Girls Regatta
- Interislander Regatta (Ranking)
- National Championships
Winter Training
We run winter training for our Opti sailors to keep up their skills sailing over winter. Sessions are user pays.
The class representative will communicate the plan for this over winter.
WHAT ARE THE TRAINING DAYS/TIMES?
Tiri: Tuesday 4pm – 7pm
Rigged and ready and changed into sailing gear by 4.20 for briefing
Rangi: Thursday 4pm – 7pm
Rigged and ready and changed into sailing gear by 4.20 for briefing
Tiri & Rangi: Coached session Sundays 9 – 12pm (followed by club sailing)
Rigged and ready and changed into sailing gear by 9.20 for briefing.
Sessions run in term time through Term 1 & 4. Please see the club calendar for exact dates.
WHICH FLEET TO RACE IN AT REGATTAS?
The White Fleet is intended to provide a full race experience for developing sailors without the physical demands of Open Fleet or the frustration of being scored “Did not Finish”.
The White Fleet is where our junior sailors enjoy sailing but not in a stressful competitive environment. White Fleet caters for those sailors who have transitioned out of Green Fleet but have chosen not to compete at Open Level.
Open rules apply to this fleet. Time on water is approximately 4–5 hours with a wind limit of 20 knots. White Fleet are out on the Open Fleet course and this is a great opportunity to get a feel for Open Fleet while being in the “white” fleet environment.
The Open Fleet may be scheduled to sail more races and spend longer on the water than other divisions depending on regatta conditions and scheduling. The target wind conditions are approximately 4 knots to 25+ knots.
Boats who do not finish in the time limit can either be scored DNF (Did Not Finish) or apply for a SRS (Still Racing Score).
By entering the Open Fleet a sailor is accepting a challenge to test their skills not only against the best sailors at the event, but also in any conditions, which may be variable and physically demanding. Open Fleet time on water is approximately 4-5 hours with a wind limit of 25+ knots.
BOAT STORAGE
You can request a boat storage spot at the club when you join or at anytime by emailing the manager: mbsc.manager@gmail.com.
There aren’t always storage spots available so if this is the case you will be added to our boat storage waiting list. Your sails can stay rigged in the rack once you have a storage spot.
HOW CAN PARENT’S HELP?
Sailing is a family sport and requires a lot of involvement from parents. The club has a roster to allocate the tasks for Sunday afternoons when we have club points racing. Parents are asked to volunteer for a task that may include, Beach duty for safety, organising launching and retrieving, kitchen duty, or perhaps helping to record finishes on the Race Committee boat. If you are unable to do your rostered day please arrange to swap with another parent.
Each parent is also responsible for launching and retrieving their own child at all sessions. So please come prepared each time your sailor goes sailing to get wet. Life is very busy and often we have many children requiring assistance. This is okay as long as you have arranged for someone else to take care of your child should they return to shore earlier than expected. In rough seas or easterly winds we would expect all parents to remain at the beach and be available at all times. Please check the forecast before coming to sailing.
For club points racing and interclub regattas if your child is racing you will need to help out.
MORE INFORMATION ON THE OPTIMIST CLASS
Click here for information on NZIODA the Optimist Class association for New Zealand.
You are on your way! – A guide to White and Open Fleet for Opti parents